Pep Guardiola receives a HUGE boost after defensive stars Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji and Rodri returned to training ahead of Liverpool clash with Kevin de Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan also set to feature after group stage exits
- Manuel Akanji and Rodri were both knocked out of the World Cup at the last 16
- Nathan Ake reached the quarter-finals with Holland before losing to Argentina
- Manchester City take on Liverpool in the Carabao Cup on Thursday evening
- READ: Manchester City receive more money from FIFA than any other club side
Manchester City have seen their defensive options bolstered after three stars returned to training following exits from the World Cup in the knockout rounds.
Pep Guardiola's side are due to take on rivals Liverpool in the Carabao Cup on Thursday, and had been set to field a considerably weaker team, but Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji and Rodri returned to training on Tuesday.
Despite their return youngsters like Rico Lewis are still likely to start in the game that has seen both clubs warn supporters against 'unacceptable behaviour' ahead of the match.
![Pep Guardiola has received a huge boost](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/20/19/65786165-11559385-image-m-34_1671566155197.jpg)
![Manuel Akanji returned from Switzerland duty](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/20/19/65786185-11559385-image-a-35_1671566164172.jpg)
Pep Guardiola has received a huge boost after three key defenders returned from World Cup duty
Akanji and Rodri both fell victim to round of 16 defeats in Qatar with Switzerland and Spain respectively, while Ake's Holland side made it to the quarter-finals where they were defeated by eventual champions Argentina.
Rodri was partnered at the heart of the Spanish defence by City team-mate Aymeric Laporte, although the latter was not spotted at the training session.
Guardiola is also set to be without his five English players, who are still yet to return from the World Cup after their quarter-final exit at the hands of finalists France.
![Nathan Ake (R) reached the quarter-finals with Holland before a penalty shoot-out defeat to Argentina](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/20/19/65786171-11559385-image-a-36_1671566218867.jpg)
Nathan Ake (R) reached the quarter-finals with Holland before a penalty shoot-out defeat to Argentina
However Kevin de Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan - who were both dumped out at the group stages - have played roles in the side's mid-season training, and both featured in a friendly against LaLiga outfit Girona.
Both midfielders started the 2-0 victory - with the Belgian maestro opening the scoring before Erling Haaland scored the second before half-time.
The three regular starters were joined by Riyad Mahrez as the only four key players in action for the Cityzens in the friendly encounter.
![Rodri arrived back at Manchester City training after starting four games at centre-back for Spain](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/20/19/65786167-11559385-image-a-37_1671566251754.jpg)
Rodri arrived back at Manchester City training after starting four games at centre-back for Spain
Only Barcelona (17) had more players involved in Qatar than the reigning Premier League champions (16), and Guardiola's side picked up more money (£4.5million) from FIFA than any other club as a result of their players' progress in the tournament.
It is unclear whether the returning trio will play any role in Thursday's clash, but every day they have in training will be seen as a plus to Guardiola ahead of a busy festive period.
England players Kyle Walker, John Stones, Kalvin Phillips, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish are still absent, with Ederson, Laporte, Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo, Bernardo Silva, and champion Julian Alvarez also yet to report back.
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